Brownfield Grant - 230 Penobscot Ave., Millinocket

Our Katahdin needs your engagement. We have an opportunity to revitalize and reimagine the use of the building located at 230 Penobscot Avenue. We need your input. Here’s the situation:

On August 22, 2016, Our Katahdin, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports community and economic development in the Katahdin region, was the sole bidder on the tax-acquired property at 230 Penobscot Avenue in Millinocket, also known in the community as the “Old Newberry’s”, “Epstein’s” or “Miller’s” building. Our Katahdin acquired the property from the Town of Millinocket in September 2016 for $2,000.

The revitalization of this historic downtown building is important. This cannot be another empty lot. However, this building has rapidly deteriorated over the past several years. There are a range of hazardous materials in the building that need to be remediated before serious development efforts can be undertaken.

Fortunately, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has provided strong support to Our Katahdin to undertake Phase I and Phase II brownfield assessments that have identified the hazardous materials inside the building, and the extent of their damage. Upon completion of the Phase I and Phase II assessments, the owner then qualifies to apply for cleanup grants. There is a “Request for Proposals” issued by the federal US Environmental Protection Agency for brownfield cleanup grants up to $200,000 that is due December 22, 2016. Our Katahdin is applying for one of these grants.

Meanwhile, we have conducted a commercial inspection to determine the structural integrity of the building. We prefer to retain and revitalize the historic structure of the building, rather than tear it down. Fortunately again, the structural assessment supports this strategy.

Here’s where you come in. We need your thoughts and feedback on the way forward. We want to post all the documents we have online, so you know everything we know. See those documents above. We are in the process of writing the grant to the EPA. We will share the draft application with you at least two weeks prior to the due date.

Also, as part of our effort to support the revitalization of the Katahdin region, Our Katahdin will host a public meeting to discuss its application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Brownfield Grant to clean-up the hazardous materials at 230 Penobscot Avenue in Millinocket, and will present a DRAFT Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) as well as initial plans for revitalization of the building.